Zajkel Zaia is a regionally based artist specialising in acting and writing. Originally from Dubbo, NSW, she has a strong commitment to creative work in regional and rural communities, with her practice often exploring regional perspectives, culture and identity.
After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Industries (Acting and Performance Design), Zajkel now works as part of Freeroam Theatre’s core creative team. Her performance experience spans theatre, screen, live and roving performance, voice acting, and motion capture. Alongside performance, Zajkel’s writing focuses on poetry, short stories, stage plays and screenplays.
Zajkel has worked with Griffin Theatre Company and Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre through their Regional Ambassadors program, and was a member of Regional Arts Australia’s 2023 Regional Scribes program, where her poetry was published in a group anthology.
In 2023 and 2024, she worked with Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) and HotHouse Theatre through the Generator program, and delivered workshops for young performers as a facilitator with the Launchpad ensemble. She has also previously facilitated workshops for Freeroam Theatre Inc. and Create Hub Riverina.
Her most recent project was Freeroam Theatre’s production of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (2025) by Rona Munro, where she worked as a cast member and Marketing Manager. She is currently working as a scriptwriter on Freeroam Theatre’s adaptation of War of the Worlds, set to be staged in May 2026.
